Just succeeded with my ESA renewal forms

I just thought I would post this to hopefully encourage some with their ESA forms, especially for those like me with ME/CFS which is often so hard to get without an appeal.

I did my first application for ESA last year, and carefully filled in the forms with the help of the info on here,(enclosing good medical evidence), and had an unusually lengthy medical which ran to nearly 30 pgs of the Medical Report. I got awarded ESA (work related) but the assessor had written in that I would probably be fit in 3 mths.

So I was not surprised to hear from the DWP in 3 mths exactly, and with yet another set of forms. This time I worded my forms even better .... e.g. put in all the physical descriptors that I would not be able to do them repeatedly. I enclosed even better medical evidence which both my consultant and GP kindly sent me.

Well I heard on Friday ... this time just based on my paperwork I have ESA this time for at least a year as it mentions that I will qualify for the Christmas Bonus.

I am hugely relieved as I would be hard put to pass the new test, and I will lose ESA in April 2012 under the cuts in any case.

Hi Mermaid, was just reading up on your posts from ages ago! (spooky)!

Congratulations, I am so pleased for you!!

Hope they are true to their word and you get a good long hastle free break!

Best wishes,
Rachel

HI Mermaid,

congrats and well done


Best wishes Bubs x

Hi Mermaid,

Congratulations and thank you for letting us know.

Steve

well done, i know how hard it is with Sarcoidosis, that also has same sypmtoms as ME and CFS combined, another illness that gets no recognition.

I spent 18 months fighting my first ESA claim as they said I was fit for work in 3 months, then 6 months then the decision maker made it immediate return to work, all on the same claim. HOw they did that I dont know. Basically as their descriptors are wrong for SArc and classified the illness like a common cold.

But got there in the end.Awarded ESA(work Related) and had one year off. So I can imagine your relief not having to do this stupid process for a year.

good news for all with chronic fatigue/ME & any other severe fatigue state. i cried with relief when i got a brown letter allowing me esa. however as i remain very unwell & struggle day to day, i havent yet dared ask, or been told, when my report 'prognosis' assumes i will be fit. are you sure the christmas bonus means we are placed on it until then? i really really really pray so as i just cant go through it again without a decent break from the stress & to try to rebuild my health as best i can. pathways to work interviews are an intimidating & intrusive task enough & i am nervous they will decide i can can do what i can't. i will cry again with sheer relief if i thought a repeat medical was some way off, but i fear otherwise, every single day??!
best of health to all x